“Notorious” Nick Newell joined the XFC lightweight ranks in late 2011 and has since taken on challengers from each of the regions the promotion has visited along the way. Newell’s next MMA fight is set for August 3 at XFC 19: Charlotte Showdown, live on AXStv vs David Mays.
In December of 2011, Newell made his XFC debut vs. Miami Florida’s Dennis Hernandez. With 5 career first round victories already sealed on his record, Newell added yet another by submitting Hernandez by heel hook in less than 2 minutes. Months later, Newell returned to the XFC cage as the promotion journeyed to Jackson, Tennessee. This time, Chris Coggins, a Lightweight from Clarksville, Tennessee had been matched against ‘Notorious’. Coggins, widely reguarded as one of the top Lightweights in Tennessee, carried a 5-1 record going into the bout, including 3 straight submission victories. After three rounds of back and forth momentum, Newell was announced the winner by majority decision.
Now venturing to Charlotte, NC Newell has again been matched with one of the regions top up &coming Lightweights, David Mays. Mays, making his XFC debut at XFC 19, enters the cage with a 6-3 pro record that includes 5 first round submission victories. Much like Newell, Mays has proven he can finish fights quickly and surely making a point that he could very well be Newell’s most challenging opponent yet.
XFC President John Prisco spoke about the match up for Newell, “I’ve always said we don’t give anyone easy fights and Nick knows that as an XFC vet. He wanted to fight tougher opponents, which is why he came to our organization and we wanted to see his full potential. Each opponent we’ve given him has been tougher than the previous and David Mays is no exception. This is a tough fight for both guys and it has potential to be another 3 round war like the Coggins fight.”
Newell will be the first “amputee” to fight professionally in North Carolina. Currently, the state does not license amputee fighters, however an exception has been agreed on for Newell because he was born with only half of his left arm. Licensed to fight in 4 other states, Newell has proven that he deserves to be in the cage, just like any other fighter. Charlotte MMA fans will see some of XFCs biggest names, when the promotion visits in August. Along with Newell, Felice Herrig, and TUF veteran Corey Hill some of the States top fighters will also participate in the Charlotte Showdown.
For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, go to www.officialxfc.com. Follow the promotion daily on Facebook and Twitter ‘@OfficialXFC’. XFC 19: Charlotte Showdown is presented by ICRealtime Security Solutions, with the event being held in Charlotte’s Grady Cole Center, aired live on AXS TV starting at 9PM ET on August 3rd.